October Updates From The Farm!

Muriel Forrest
4 days ago
3 min read

There’s something even more special about Wheatland Farm in the fall — the colors all over the farm are so beautiful, and the golden hours each evening make the trails an extra special place to be! This October has been nothing short of magical, and as we wrap up the month, we’re filled with gratitude for the energy, support, and joy our farm family continues to bring.

Our Sincere Thanks to the First Lady of Virginia

We are profoundly grateful to the First Lady of Virginia for her unwavering support of Wheatland Farm and the Faith & Family Foundation. This month, she made two beautiful events possible that raised awareness and vital support for our mission of inclusion through equestrian therapy and education.

Cornus Virginicus at King Family Vineyards – October 7

Our first event was held at the breathtaking King Family Vineyards, where the First Lady introduced this year’s blend of Cornus Virginicus IV, a special Virginia red wine whose proceeds benefit Wheatland Farm. The wine, crafted with care and purpose by winemaker Matthieu Finot and the King family, is now available for purchase directly at Wheatland Farm — please email us if you’d like to bring one home!

Ralph Lauren Event at Saks Chevy Chase – October 10

Just a few days later, we joined the First Lady again for a stunning Ralph Lauren Fall Collection event at Saks Chevy Chase. The evening was filled with warmth, friendship, and purpose — and thanks to the generosity of Saks and Ralph Lauren, 10% of all sales that weekend were donated to Wheatland Farm. We were also so proud to have student Dolly Gaiser and her family with us, to enjoy the evening and to be superb ambassadors for our program, and her fellow students. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for these unforgettable events, helping us continue our mission to provide exceptional opportunities for riders of all abilities.

Women in Agriculture at Sweet Briar College – October 22

On October 22, Muriel Forrest had the honor of speaking on the Women in Agriculture panel at Sweet Briar College, alongside an inspiring group of Virginia’s women leaders in the Agricultural sector, including Secretary of Agriculture Matt Lohr. The discussion highlighted the many ways agriculture — including equestrian programs — can offer meaningful opportunities for all Virginians, including individuals with disabilities. Sweet Briar is an amazing place, and it was wonderful to meet students in their equestrian program, share Wheatland’s story, and even make a plug for future instructors to join our growing team!

Glorious Fall Days for Riding Lessons

This month’s perfect weather made for some of the most beautiful riding days of the year. Our students have enjoyed colorful trail rides, skill-building in the arena, and quiet moments bonding with their horses. There’s truly nothing like fall at Wheatland Farm! Photos are attached!

Wheatland Farm on WUSA Channel 9

We were thrilled to welcome Sean Martinelli and the WUSA Channel 9 team to Wheatland Farm this month! Their touching feature showcased our riders, our horses, and the heart of our mission — inclusion, excellence, family, and the joy of partnership between horse and rider.If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s well worth a watch — it captures everything that makes Wheatland Farm so special. The video is below!

Dressage Schooling Shows Return!

Congratulations to all the riders who participated in our first in-house dressage schooling show of the season! From beautiful tests to beaming smiles, the evening show was filled with achievement and encouragement. Thank you to our staff, volunteers, and families who made it such a success — and to our riders, who continue to inspire us with their progress and passion.

Looking Ahead: Volunteer Training & The Holiday Season

We’re already looking forward to Quarter 2 of lessons and our next big community events!

Volunteer Training Night: Monday, November 10th, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. We welcome new volunteers ages 16 and older to join us. Please sign up on our Volunteer Page — we’d love to have you.
Wheatland Christmas Party: Sunday, December 14th, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating the season — families, friends, and community members alike.

A Season of Thankfulness

As we look forward to Thanksgiving, we are deeply grateful for our families, students, staff, volunteers, donors, and of course, our amazing horses and ponies — the hearts, hands and hooves that make Wheatland Farm what it is. None of this would be possible without your love, your commitment, and your belief in our mission. Here’s to a beautiful close to autumn, a joyful holiday season ahead, and another wonderful chapter in Wheatland Farm’s story.

October was full of wonderful events!